French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have faced criticism after being pictured dancing at a Celine Dion concert hours before violent protests erupted across France.

Axar.az reports, citing the Daily Mail, that the couple attended the concert on Friday evening as demonstrations over rising living costs, inequality and public services spread nationwide.

The protests saw barricades and public buildings set ablaze, cars overturned and clashes between demonstrators and police. More than 400 people had been arrested by 6 p.m., including nearly 200 in Paris, according to the report.

Protesters in several cities targeted public buildings, while police used tear gas, water cannon and dispersal grenades to control the crowds.

Macron and his wife were compared to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, who were executed during the French Revolution.

“Macron and Brigitte are acting like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. They appear to think that there is no problem with anything,” protest organiser Lina Bernard said.